More young people with additional needs can socialise, develop their independence and life skills after a new centre opened in Woodmansey.

Active Day Care, which first opened in Tower House Lane, Hedon, around two years ago, has opened a new branch at Tokenspire Business Park.

And not only is the new centre bigger and able to welcome more young people, but it also boasts a gym, woodwork shop, and mesmerising sensory room funded with a £2,000 grant from Holderness charity, the Kerry Key Foundation.

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“It’s bigger and brighter and we’ve been able to decorate it and put in place the wood workshop and the gym.

“It’ll all help the young people to develop their confidence and their skills too.”

Volunteer Josh Newsome helps decorate the centre (Image: Katie Pugh)

The not-for-profit organisation have also installed a new kitchen, donated by B&Q.

“We’ve been working non-stop to get everything ready,” said Ms Baxter. “It means now we can teach them cookery skills too.

“It is our aim to stimulate independence with the continuation of existing interests and activities. Choice, individuality and self-respect are promoted and encouraged and adults are treated with respect and sensitivity to their individual needs and abilities.

“They learn about life skills, from making a shopping list to anything, which will help them to live even more independent lives.”

Becky Potter in the new kitchen donated by B&Q (Image: Katie Pugh)

The new branch opening comes after dozens of parents asked if they were going to be expanding so more young adults could take up places.

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“A lot of the time parents tell us once they leave school at 18, they can get stuck staying at home, or in centres where they are with people with physical disabilities or elderly people rather than with people their own age.

“Here they can socialise with people their own age – and we have young people from as far as Driffield now able to come along.

“What we have found since we set up is that the young people bring each other on, they are inclusive of each other and support each other. They bring each other out of their shells.

"They key thing is, it’s all their choice.”

The young people attending Active Day Care support each other (Image: Katie Pugh)